Clash With Catalan Independence Supporters

Catalan riot police charged to break up a concentration of hundreds of protesters in front of the main door of Catalan parliament, after tens of thousands people marched in Barcelona to mark the first anniversary of an ill-fated independence referendum.

Several protesters got hurt during clashes between Catalan police and pro-independence supporters.There were short-lived attempts to block roads and train tracks in the northeastern region, but the tension arose when a group of people surrounded the regional parliament putting stickers saying “republic under construction”.

Around 180,000 people marched during the afternoon wearing ballot boxes and chanting the regional anthem.Madrid imposed direct rule on Catalonia after it declared independence following the referendum.

Elections later returned a regional government favoring a split with Spain through a party supporting union won most votes.